What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker III position at Merit System Services?
Salary : $4,305.00 - $6,680.00 Monthly
Location : Alturas
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : MSS04537
Department : Modoc County Department of Social Services
Opening Date : 05 / 22 / 2024
Closing Date : Continuous
Position Information
THIS IS NOT A "REMOTE WORK" or "TELEWORKING" POSITION.
THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN MODOC COUNTY, CA.
Under general direction, the Social Worker III carries a difficult caseload involving the determination of need for basic social services functions for applicants or clients; performs social studies and assignments involving individualized treatment and specialized application of casework methods and skills; provides comprehensive casework services of a tangible nature; and performs other related work as assigned.
Social Worker III is the advanced journey level in the Social Worker series. Incumbents are normally assigned a selected caseload of the more difficult cases and when needed are given supervisory consultation in development of treatment plans. They may also be assigned to a specialized function requiring a high degree of perception such as a special problem caseload or they are assigned to a specific geographic or functional area such as Court Investigations, Family Maintenance / Reunification, Emergency Response, Child / Adult Protection, or Foster Care. A Social Worker III may act as a lead worker to other social service workers. Incumbents are expected to work independently.
Social Worker III differs from Social Worker II in that the former receives the more difficult assignments requiring greater skill and depth of job knowledge in assessing problem situations and formulating plans for services. Incumbents normally work with a high degree of independence of action in administering services and in making use of agency or community resources. Social Worker III differs from Social Worker IV-A / B in that the latter is the most experienced worker and requires both advanced education and social work experience.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Incumbents in the Social Worker III classification receive general direction from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level manager or deputy director, and may act as lead worker to lower classification working in the same program area.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :
- Carries a caseload of more difficult types of social services cases requiring a high degree of technical competence, such as situations where environmental forces affect family life
- Receives and responds to reports of suspected abuse; obtains information from reporters; personally investigates and assesses situations to protect vulnerable adults and children and recommends alternate placement; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may be required to work on-call; may testify in court
- Performs case studies evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment
- Develops and carries out social treatment plans for an assigned caseload; ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner and
- Counsels or provides guidance and support to individuals and / or families with more complex or specialized needs including Adult Protective Services, crisis intervention, special medical or legal needs, and other social services
- Refers clients to other staff members
- Makes a diagnosis of client problems and follows through with the social treatment plans with a high degree of independence
- Interprets policies, rules, and regulations to client, applicants, and others
- May act as a lead worker to a small group of social service workers or service employees
- Assists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources for individual needs
- Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments
- Develops and prepares court report, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems
- Enters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systems
- Prepares and maintains case
- Participates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competence
- Receives casework consultation from professionally trained staff members
- May be required to testify in court
- Works with community organizations and makes referrals to outside resources
- Provides self-help information, education, and services; works with clients and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills
- Obtains and evaluates police, medical, and psychological reports
- Maintains client confidentiality; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics
- Performs related duties as assigned
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of :
Ability to :
Minimum Qualifications
Pattern 3 : Bachelor's degree AND successful completion of twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter units of a master's degree program in Social Work, or a Counseling program from an accredited college or university, emphasizing Marriage, Family and Child Counseling or Marriage and Family therapy, Gerontology or Clinical Psychology; AND Twelve (12) months of social work case management experience.
Supplemental Information
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%
The Training & Experience Examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete the entire examination to receive a score. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. MSS is accepting applications on a continuous basis. Qualifying candidates will be notified via email with instructions for completing the examination within 30 days of the date of application.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Modoc. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TEST ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-909-3701 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
EDUCATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list.
General Qualifications : Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
ABOUT MODOC COUNTY
Modoc County is a geographically diverse area in the northeastern corner of California and borders both Oregon and Nevada. The City of Alturas is the county seat and the only incorporated city in the County. Federal land comprises much of Modoc County, with employees from the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service assigned there. These federal operations account for a significant part of the County's economy. Modoc County is home to the Medicine Lake Highlands, which is the largest shield volcano on the US West Coast. You'll also find areas of lava flows, cinder cones, juniper flats, pine forests, and seasonal lakes, nearly one million acres of the Modoc National Forest, as well as hot springs and lava caves, which are common to the area, and geothermal energy resources.
This job bulletin will not be available online after the application deadline. Please print a copy for your records.
Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.
The Minimum Qualifications for Social Worker III list several patterns under which an applicant may qualify. When deciding under which pattern you believe you qualify, please note the following :
Qualifying social work case management includes direct case work management, such as : assessment, evaluation; conducting investigations of abuse and neglect; preparing court reports; responsibility for a long term caseload, monitoring compliance through home calls and other personal contact; collaboration with other agencies and linking clients to resources and programs; development of a case plan, modification of case plans as needed / required; and authority to impose sanctions or implement actions that impact services.
Examples of acceptable social or behavioral science courses include : anthropology, criminal justice, education, ethnic studies, history, human development, law, human services, nursing, nutrition, psychology, public health, social welfare, sociology, welfare, women's studies.
Please place a check next to the pattern which you believe you might qualify (you may check more than one) :
Please read : One or more of the patterns of the Minimum Qualifications require successful completion of specific units, credits, coursework OR a degree.
If you have completed any college or university courses, you must attach your college transcripts to this application. Have you attached copies of your transcript(s) to this application?
Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States must submit verification of degree and / or course equivalency with the application. Organizations that provide foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at Merit System Services will accept verification of degree and / or course equivalency from any of the listed member agencies.
Did you attach all pertinent documents with your application?
Modoc County Department of Social Services conducts in-person interviews. Should you receive an invitation, would you be available to attend an in-person interview in Alturas, CA?
What is the minimum amount of notice you need to attend an in-person interview in Alturas, CA?
Please select your preferred day(s) of the week and time of day to attend an in-person interview in Alturas, CA (select all that apply) :
Required Question
Salary : $4,305 - $6,680
